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Chinese New Year 2011 – A Successful Malta Event

A marvellous and resplendent presentation by a group of 23 Chinese artists from Heilongjiang Province added spark to the 2011 Valletta Spring Festival and received a standing ovation from the audiences on January 31, 2011 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.

A combination of graceful classical dance, ebullient folk dance, upbeat and melodious Chinese music, as well as original and humorous magic exhibited the crème of the traditional Chinese cultural and the arts. Extracts such as Ernani, Ernani Involami and Nessun Dorma from renowned Italian operas struck a deep chord with the audience.

Guests of honour present at the evening were H.E. Dr. Ugo Mifsud Bonnici, President Emeritus of Malta, H.E. Dr. Edward Fenech Adami, President Emeritus of Malta, Dr. Alexiei Dingli, Mayor of Valletta, H.E. Mr. Zhang Keyuan, Chinese Ambassador to Malta, Ms. Wang Zhenzhen, Deputy General Director of Heilongjiang Provincial Bureau of Culture, Mr. Gu Hongxing, Director of China Cultural Centre and heads of diplomatic missions in Malta. Congratulations and thanks were given to the artists and the organizers when the guests of honour received the cast after the show.

The 5th edition of the Valletta Chinese Spring Festival was jointly organised by China Cultural Centre and the Valletta Local Council under the patronage of the Parliamentary Secretariat of Tourism, the Environment and Culture, and the Chinese Embassy in Malta. The Malta Tourism Authority, the Mediterranean Conference Centre and the Grand Hotel Excelsior have also rendered great support to the events.

Apart from the evening show, the series of events of the Festival also included the charity fair of Chinese handicrafts on January 26 at the China Cultural Centre, with all the earnings donated to the Malta Community Chest Fund; the opening performance on January 30 at the St. George’s Square and street parade; the Chinese New Year Dinner and fireworks display on February 2 at the Grand Hotel Excelsior, as well as the ongoing photographic exhibition entitled Malta through Chinese Eyes, on display between January 25 and March 3 at Auberge d’ Italie.